Sunny weather boosts Waitrose

Sales at grocer Waitrose rose off the back of hot weather as sales (exc petrol) hit 7 per cent, up from sales of 6.5 per cent during the same period last year.

Supply chain director David Jones revealed how sales across all stores totalled £122.91m last week, a significant increase from the £114.56m the company made in 2013. The high temperatures also meant that demand for sun-care products soared by more than 216 per cent, while many customers dined alfresco and barbecue meats sold faster, increasing by 107 per cent.

Additionally, the demand for fresh fruit also grew with a surge of 90 per cent for strawberries and 30 per cent for peaches and nectarines sold during the same week in 2013. Soft drinks and ice cream sales surged while beer sales rose by a quarter.

Sales at Waitrose stores in Welcome Break motorway services also endured a 12 per cent jump, and Waitrose also opened their 29th Welcome Break branch on the M1 in Leicester.

The re-launched Waitrose Cellar wines website also enjoyed a successful first week, with sales up 52 per cent compared to last year, while profit from Waitrose.com were also up by 51.8 per cent, revealing the often positive effects of higher temperatures on consumer demand. However, with Amazon‘s recent launch of their own wine and grocery store, Waitrose have fierce competition and must continue to up their sales in this sector.

The increase follows on after sister chain John Lewis‘s recent 150th anniversary, which saw a “wonderful week‘s trade” as their sales also climbed 14.5 per cent on the previous year.